Teacher Research and Program Evaluation: The Experience of the "Reach Out to Schools Social Competency Program."

Krasnow, Jean

The Reach Out to Schools Social Competency Program is a 40-lesson elementary school curriculum that teaches children and their teachers to build positive, supportive relationships in the classroom. It is organized around three units: creating a cooperative classroom environment, building self-esteem and positive feelings, and solving people problems. The teacher research being conducted by participants in the Reach Out to Schools Program on the impact of the program in their classrooms and their teaching styles is described. The program is currently used in 18 school systems (47 schools) in the Boston (Massachusetts) area. Approximately 3,500 students and over 200 teachers have participated in the program. Training is provided for teachers and principals, and a parent component is being developed. Fifteen interviews were conducted with teachers new to the program in 1990-91. Subsequently, 65 teachers, 561 students, and 4 principals assessed the impact of the program in their classrooms. Teachers who have completed at least 1 year in the program may participate in a teacher research group. In these groups, teachers have conducted research projects that are clarifying program impacts. The program evaluation and teacher research have helped improve the curriculum, identify areas of success, and pose questions for further research. Efforts like the Reach Out to Schools Program and the Teacher Research Group demonstrate that teachers are ready and able to redefine their roles within the classroom, the school, and the research community. (SLD)